As for slavery, Lincoln had long railed against this “monstrous injustice”. But one of the bitterest questions of the day was whether the federal government could ban slavery in new American territories, such as Kansas and Nebraska. Lincoln was firmly against extending slavery in the territories, but did not seek at first to eradicate the “peculiar institution” altogether.

In his first inaugural address, Lincoln quoted from an earlier speech, in which he had said: “I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.”

Less than three years later at Gettysburg, Lincoln was speaking of a “new birth of freedom” for the nation, and shortly thereafter he backed the Thirteenth Amendment, fully outlawing slavery. “Well, boys, your troubles are over now,” Lincoln told his press pool (of sorts) the morning after being elected in 1860. “Mine have just begun.” As he places his hand on the Lincoln Bible, Mr Obama may feel much the same way.

© The Economist Newspaper Limited 2008